Tripling tank size, fish suggestions?
- Thread starter eDavid
- Start date
Good tetra tankmates include Cardinals, Rummy-Noses, Lemons, Glowlites, Head & Tail Lights, mature Embers, and some other peaceful, slower-movers as well. Serpaes may be a problem (occasional nippers). Some keep Green or Black Tetras with discus.
Almost all types of Corydoras are just fine, excellent the more delicate Pandas, which may have trouble with the higher temp.
Several types of Rasboras are a-ok, as are Hatchet fish (but Hatchets are jumpers, so you need to keep the tank covered for sure).
German Blue Rams are great tankmates, as are BN Plecos (but not most other Plecos).
Some keep Otos and SAE's, but keep in mind that at times, some of these can take a liking to discus' slime coats as part of their diet.
Some keep Angels with discus, but that can be potentially chancy. Others keep Guppies, Platies and other livebearers, but of course all the fry usually get eaten by the discus.
There are other species as well, but names escape me at the moment. As I said before, just takes a little homework if you're unsure.
Almost all types of Corydoras are just fine, excellent the more delicate Pandas, which may have trouble with the higher temp.
Several types of Rasboras are a-ok, as are Hatchet fish (but Hatchets are jumpers, so you need to keep the tank covered for sure).
German Blue Rams are great tankmates, as are BN Plecos (but not most other Plecos).
Some keep Otos and SAE's, but keep in mind that at times, some of these can take a liking to discus' slime coats as part of their diet.
Some keep Angels with discus, but that can be potentially chancy. Others keep Guppies, Platies and other livebearers, but of course all the fry usually get eaten by the discus.
There are other species as well, but names escape me at the moment. As I said before, just takes a little homework if you're unsure.
Yes, 50% wc's twice a week is fine, provided you're not overstocked, and you pay sufficient attention as well, to vacuuming substrate, glass wipe-downs, filter media rinsing/replacements, and general overall tank cleanliness when you do your wcs.
Edit: I just noticed you read Paul's guide so I'm sure you got some good insight on them. I was saying not to write them off until Paul laid out exactly what is required in case you had read some exaggerated stuff and was put off a bit by it but based on what I've heard about Paul he knows exactly what is needed so I'm sure any guide on discus he wrote would give you a clear idea on whether or not you want to keep them =)
Lol oh you saw my reply before I edited. Yeah sorry I hadn't seen the post where you said you read his guide. I haven't kept them myself but I love those fish.
Well that's too bad, David- but nobody's going to try & twist your arm - lol.
I only spend about 2 hours a week keeping my discus tank squeaky clean - and that's without a python !
It's no big deal - in fact I originally regarded it as a bit of a challenge - which I met - and I'm extremely glad I did - it's very satisfying being successful with these superb aquatic personalities, even with the modest extra effort needed to keep these gorgeous fish.
In the final analysis, I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and don't hesitate to call on me if I can be of any help to you in getting that 125 properly set up to your satisfaction.
I only spend about 2 hours a week keeping my discus tank squeaky clean - and that's without a python !
It's no big deal - in fact I originally regarded it as a bit of a challenge - which I met - and I'm extremely glad I did - it's very satisfying being successful with these superb aquatic personalities, even with the modest extra effort needed to keep these gorgeous fish.
In the final analysis, I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and don't hesitate to call on me if I can be of any help to you in getting that 125 properly set up to your satisfaction.
Thanks, Brandon, for your vote of confidence.
I can't convince everybody, but I'm sure happy to give it a try.
I just feel a little sad when so many people seem to get put off by the talk of the (modest) additional effort that it takes to be quite successful keeping the 'Kings of the Aquarium'.
I'm not counting my chickens, but I have given many discus newbies some help getting started, and I have yet to hear of a dismal failure keeping these fish, once an interested party has decided to buck the odds, given it a go, and just followed a few simple 'rules'.
BTW, I think my '6 cardinal rules' are threaded here somewhere in the Cichlids section - Angel fish and Discus sub-section.
